[JULY
12, 2006]
City attorney Bill Bates said that he and city
building inspector Les Last were in court a week ago with the owner
of the old Mill restaurant. The city began trying to work with the
new property owner, Dennis Koehler, almost a year ago, after
neighbors began complaining it was a hazard.

Last inspected the site and determined that it needed action and
contacted Koehler.

Koehler did what he could in cleaning up debris surrounding the
building but ran into numerous roadblocks in getting an EPA permit
for demolition.

Bates said that in court last week Koehler denied the allegation
that the property is a nuisance. Bates said they would be going back
to court.

*

Aldermen have been presented a request by the owners of an
undeveloped industrial property, known as I-55 Industrial Park. The
city is about to go out for bids on the last road developments
associated with the Sysco development. BLP is asking the city to
bundle roadwork leading to their property in with Ball Drive. It
would save BLP time if the city would do this, and it could reduce
costs for the city.

In exchange, Gene Burwell said that BLP is willing to pay for the
project costs for Ball Drive that are attributable to BLP, as well
as 25 percent of the signal light at the Route 10 intersection.

The finance committee will meet on Monday at 6:15 p.m. to discuss
proposed $12,000 in appropriations. A public hearing to confirm the
appropriations is set for 7 p.m. on July 27.

*

Recycling will be easier in the near future. Those who regularly
use the bin on North Kickapoo Street near Latham Park often find the
bins too full. Joint Waste Management director Mitzi Rohlfs said
that the company that was doing the pickup was not willing to do it
more than once a week. A new company will be taking over and they
will be installing two bins at the site, so twice as much can be
collected in a week's time.